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Arizona retail stores take first steps to reopen after weeks of closures

A sign posted at the Hollister clothing store informs shoppers at Chandler Mall that they will be temporarily closed due to the coronavirus.(Photo: Michael Chow/The Republic)

The first steps toward reopening most retail stores in Arizona began Monday.

Gov. Doug Ducey announced the state is allowing some retailers to reopen for "delivery service, window service, walk-up service, drive-thru service, drive-up service, curbside delivery or appointment" on Monday.

On May 8, these retailers can begin doing in-store sales if they implement heightened health and safety protocols.

The state's broader stay-at-home order has been extended through May 15, but this move, announced last week, allows small- and medium-sized retailers previously not designated as "essential" to reopen. The reopening covers only the sale of goods, not services.

Later on Monday, Ducey said salons and barbershops could open to provide services on Friday and restaurants could begin dine-in services on May 11.

Sibley’s West, a novelty shop in downtown Chandler, opened Monday morning for in-person shopping appointments after being closed for more than a month and will resume normal operations on Friday with added safety precautions, owner John Wolfe said.

“The whole team wanted to get back to the store. They love meeting and speaking with customers about Arizona and Arizona products,” Wolfe said about his decision to reopen. “As long as customers take precautions and the store takes precautions, we really hope to limit any sort of problem.”

Customers can call 480-899-4480 or email info@sibleyswest.com to set up an appointment to shop between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. through Thursday.

Wolfe said Sibley’s will limit the number of people inside the store, staff members will wear masks and disposable gloves will be available for customers, if they wish to use them. Hand sanitizer will be available at the door and workers will sanitize high-touch areas, he said.

Customers still will be able to shop online or request curbside pickup.

Wolfe said the store, which opened in 2010, lost about 90% of its sales during the closure despite doubling its online inventory and driving traffic to the store’s website. The lack of revenue forced Wolfe to furlough six employees.

“We really tried to push the online option and it helped, but it’s nowhere near the same as in-person sales,” he said.

Sibley’s received funding from the federal Paycheck Protection Program in mid-April, which Wolfe used to rehire staff, he said. He was not willing to say how much Sibley’s received in funding but said it’s enough to cover pay for eight employees while business picks up.

Changing Hands will wait to open

In neighboring Tempe, owners of Changing Hands Bookstore were reluctant to open before more public health data was available.

Changing Hands, which has offered curbside pickup and delivery of its book care packages and other products since closing in March, is expanding its curbside pickup hours, said co-owner Cindy Dach.

The company doesn’t plan to open its Tempe or Phoenix locations to visitors until more information about the virus’s impact in the community is available. The company also needs to implement safety and cleaning protocols, such as hand sanitizer stations and a way to ensure customers can physically distance while waiting in line, she said.

The bookstores are operating with a skeleton crew and staff members are eager to get back to work, Dach said, but owners want to make sure they can reopen safely. The company applied for a PPP loan but was denied, she said.

“We will absolutely be reopening our doors to the public. We just don’t think rushing to open without feeling very confident is the way to do it,” Dach said. “We would like some more facts to make sure that we’re keeping our staff and community as safe as possible.”

'Making the best of it'

At Robyn’s Nest, a boutique furniture store off Happy Valley Road and Lake Pleasant Parkway in Peoria, owners on Monday were getting ready to reopen.

The store offered curbside pickups on Monday but the store will be ready for the public on Friday. Employees will give customers hand sanitizer when they enter and again at the checkout line, where customers will be required to stand 6 feet apart. Employees will also wipe down surfaces, registers and pens regularly.

“It’s Mother’s Day this weekend, so we’ll be busy,” said owner Robyn Halperin.

She said she’s thankful for how many people have bought gift cards online to keep the store afloat during Ducey’s stay-at-home order.

“This has been a rough patch for everyone. One I hope we don’t have to go through again,” Halperin said. “We’re making the best of it.”

On Monday, the governor said restaurant dine-in service could resume with precautions in place on May 11.

“As we breathe life back into our businesses, we want to make sure we’re taking common sense precautions to keep employees and customers safe,” Ducey said in a statement Friday. “Taking these responsible steps that prioritize public health will help grow confidence and ensure we don’t just reopen all businesses, but do it successfully."

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This story will be updated throughout the day as some businesses partially reopen.